1. Caught up on work + quality time with kids = behind on housework
2. Caught up on housework + Caught up on work = not much quality time with kids
3. Quality time with kids + caught up on housework = behind on work
Does your life look something like this? Mine definitely does. In this season of life it's not so much about balance for me as it is picking and choosing "what I can afford to be behind on given the day?".
My work week seems to be stretching out to 40 hours a week now and as much as I love being my own boss, it's hard when you don't know exactly how much you're getting paid per hour, you have no salary, and all your income depends solely on you. Crazy but still love it. So thankful that hubby takes most of the financial burden so I can build a business. If you're a work-at-home-mom with little kids with you 24/7, please let me know in the comments that I'm not alone! If you homeschool as well on top of it, I really, really want to hear from you.
"Work/Life Balance"
Is it just an illusive term? Something that everyone dreams of but nobody can have? It seems so to me because it's like saying we can have a perfect life.
Nothing on earth is perfect. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. A mother's life is full of diaper blow-outs, spilled milk, bills due, laundry bins full, dirty dishes, sticky floors, deadlines, hungry kids, irritable toddlers, homework helping, and hundreds of photos capturing life's moments that are forever digitally captive and you'll never find time to print.
Our mothering days are not so much about balance as they are about vision. What are we doing today that will matter 10 years from now? What do we need to do right now so that tomorrow there is a little less chaos. It's easy to get caught up in being miserable when we really just need to stand back and look at the big picture.
We need to see that our love matters, our marriages matter, our children's character matters, our spiritual well being matters, forgiveness matters, family matters, hope matters, faith matters, contentment matters, helping those that need it most - matters.
When we see those things, the big picture, the small day-to-day minutia will have more purpose. Suddenly it's not as daunting. We can now just do the next thing, one-by-one, get things done, no longer being so overwhelmed.
Trust me, I'm writing this for myself as much as I am for you. Because we are all moms on a journey, all imperfect, and all in constant search for balance. There are days I seem to have it all together, only to have things fall apart the next moment. That's life and how it will always be!
Have you found balance? What's your secret?
Do you feel like I do, content that life will never be truly 'balanced'?
Photo: Baby E stopping to smell the sunflowers at a farm, a day I chose #3 as my 'balance'
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I think the term 'balance' is relative. If you are happy with what you do even though at times it can be hectic, I would say, you have found your balance. But if you are unhappy about your goals and you find that you are lacking in time for doing things that you enjoy, then balance is yet to achieve. Very insightful post! :)- Vinma
ReplyDeleteYes, that's true! I guess in that sense I would say I've found my balance, even if not by 'society's standards' :) Thank you for your comment!
DeleteI struggle with this exact same thing. I also am a work at home mom to a 3 year old. I struggle with finding balance all the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in Shanna :)
DeleteCan we have balance in this life? Its hard for me to see it. There is always something that is not accomplished byte the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteI think we simply have to make our priorities. Put what is most important in this life, especially raising our kids finding that time to actually get into conversation, let them talk and not us giving directions all the time. Simply teach them what is most important in this life that is our job to do every day!
Yes, that's just life - always something that needs to be done. I notice how different a day goes when I devote more one-on-one time to the kids. Some days I just can't, but most days I try to spend some time talking to them, reading with them, playing, or just being available to them.
DeleteGirl, I am on the same page. It is so hard. Every once in a while I just have to re-evaluate what I'm doing and let things go
ReplyDeleteAha, it's an everyday learning processes, refocusing on what's most important to us!
DeleteI'm a new SAHM. It's been wonderful! I'm so thankful that I can focus more on my child now and do more things I enjoy. When I was working I felt like I couldn't give my all to anything, and felt guilty and very unhappy. I think I'm finally where I'm meant to be.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you're found where you're meant to be! I'm also really enjoying being home with my kids and thankful I can work from home on my business to bring in some income so we can pay the bills :)
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